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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 3 · Chapter 5: Vidura’s Talks with Maitreya
3.5.73.5.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.8

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 3.5.2inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

यैस्तत्त्वभेदैरधिलोकनाथो

लोकानलोकान् सह लोकपालान् ।

अचीक्लृपद्यत्र हि सर्वसत्त्व-

निकायभेदोऽधिकृत: प्रतीत: ॥ ८ ॥

yais tattva-bhedair adhiloka-nātho

lokān alokān saha lokapālān

acīkḷpad yatra hi sarva-sattva-

nikāya-bhedo ’dhikṛtaḥ pratītaḥ

Translation

The Supreme King of all kings has created different planets and places of habitation where living entities are situated in terms of the modes of nature and work, and He has created their different kings and rulers.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Is the King of All Kings

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa is the chief King of all kings. He creates different planets, places of habitation and their respective rulers.

  2. 2

    Living entities occupy different conditions according to the modes of nature and their past deeds. The variety of earthly environments illustrates these differing arrangements.

  3. 3

    The purport describes living entities as present throughout the planets, with varied living conditions. Vidura asked Maitreya to explain these arrangements of the Supreme Lord for further enlightenment.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa is the chief King of all kings, and He has created different planets for all kinds of living entities.
  • There are places like deserts, ice lands, and valleys in mountainous countries, and in each of them there are different kinds of men born of different modes of nature according to their past deeds.
  • There are also planets where no sunlight reaches, and there are living entities who must live there due to their past deeds.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Mystery → Cosmic wonder. The origin of the world is revealed through inquiry and divine grace.

Chapters 5–12 of Canto 3: Creation and Brahmā's bewilderment. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 5: Vidura’s Talks with Maitreya

Vidura meets Maitreya, who begins explaining the Lord’s activities and the unfolding of material creation.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.5
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaiḥby whom
  2. tattvatruth
  3. bhedaiḥby differentiation
  4. adhiloka-nāthaḥthe King of the kings
  5. lokānplanets
  6. alokānplanets of the lower region
  7. sahaalong with
  8. loka-pālānrespective kings
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Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “king”, “rulers”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does recognizing Kṛṣṇa as the supreme ruler affect my view of worldly authority?

Practice

Pause today to remember that every earthly ruler remains subordinate to Kṛṣṇa, the King of all kings.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Is the King of All KingsThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 3.5.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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